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earth leakage in ignition system

J

Justy

New member
Im not a hugely technical person but have had a bit of help on this issue- background I noticed pitting on my lower unit on my BF90 its very low hours under 50 I didnt buy it new so I dont think the warranty is still in place. Anyhow with the negative battery lead disconnected from the motor and the ignition on I hooked up a test light to the disconnected end of the negative battery lead and put point of test light on hull and the light goes on- so the hull is live there is a leak somewhere in the ignition system i believe. I then disconnected the Top connection on the starter motor/relay and the test light stopped- I get the test light to stop also when I pull out the main 30 amp fuse fuse 6 I believe. Any advice or should I just take this straight to a marine auto electrician? Problem is I live in a really remote area - 2 hours from the nearest service agent.
 
Hi,
Some questions for you....

Is this outboard controlled by remote console and wheel or by tiller?

Do you have a "battery switch"?
IE: "A-B-BOTH" or "1-2-All"?

What, if any, other components are connected to battery power directly and do not receive the power to run them directly from the Honda?....
...radio, depth finder, live well, gps, trolling motor, etc.....

Where, exactly, are you connecting your test light to provide a ground path for testing?

I'm no technical whiz either (more like a "phiz") but I'm willing to help you if I can.

Answers to those questions and others posed by people here may unloxk the mystery.

In addition to the above, I want to point out often oveelooked devices for preventing galvanic corrosion from damaging your outboard.

Item 12 in the link below, "wire, lead" is commonly called a "bonding wire". It's there to help direct stray electrical current caused by water immersion to dissipate rather than through delicate, thin, metal.


Another example of a bonding wire is item 9 in the tilt/trim diagram below:


The end of that bonding lead is depicted in the next link, stern bracket/swivel case, as being used in conjunction with the sacrificial zinc anode to help protect your outboard's metals. See item 1


Those wires should never be disconnected, cut or discarded. Their contact points should always be clean and tight. They, along with all sacrificial zinc anodes, should be regularly.inspected and not allowed to deteriorate.

I know the bonding wire is likely not the cause of your immediate concern but giving you info that many outboard owners are not always aware of.
 
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